Cattle stranded on ship in Spain must be destroyed, say vets

[Ribble]

Spanish officials recommend 864 cows that have been at sea for two months are no longer fit for transport.

More than 850 cows that have spent months aboard a ship wandering across the Mediterranean are no longer fit for transport any more and should be killed, according to a confidential report by Spanish government veterinarians.

The animals were rejected by several countries over fears they had bovine bluetongue virus.

Cattle stranded on ship in Spain must be destroyed, say vets

Spanish officials recommend 864 cows that have been at sea for two months are no longer fit for transport

www.theguardian.com

 

[Ribble]

What a disaster. Surely that makes the live export ban a shoe in.

 

[Cowabunga]

Where do they hail from and where were they meant to go initially? Were they breeding animals or destined for immediate slaughter?

Massive cock-up by someone. Massive losses for the owners and for the shipping company. Not nice for the animals or for the people looking after them.

There's a big story here, which should be heard. Why haven't they been sent 'home', for instance?

 

[Hummin-Cummins]

do they carry 2 months worth of extra forage? Or have they been having deliveries?

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Absolutely disgusting and sinful..those poor cattle.
Poor things were en route for turkey as well which is as bad as what they’ve endured so far

 

[Farmer Fin]

They were being exported from Spain to Turkey. Apparently there is another boat in the med at the moment with 1000 onboard. Sounds like turkey had declined them and Spain don’t want them back.

 

[Cowabunga]

They were being exported from Spain to Turkey. Apparently there is another boat in the med at the moment with 1000 onboard. Sounds like turkey had declined them and Spain don’t want them back.

If they were exported from Spain, Spain should have an obligation to taking them back if their intended destination rejects them. There's no excuse for playing politics or silly-buggers with them, but then again we are talking about a country whose national 'sport' is bullfighting.

 

[Ribble]

If they were exported from Spain, Spain should have an obligation to taking them back if their intended destination rejects them. There's no excuse for playing politics or silly-buggers with them, but then again we are talking about a country whose national 'sport' is bullfighting.

They've been anchored outside the Spanish port for a several days while they decided what to do.

 

[Cowabunga]

They've been docked outside the Spanish port for a several days while they decided what to do.

Are there no slaughterhouses in Spain? There's another ship with 1800 cattle on board since December apparently and in the same predicament. Something very wrong here that nobody takes responsibility and has sorted this out at least six weeks ago. It's an inexcusable shambles. On whose part, I don't know. Probably on several people and gov't departments is Spain and Turkey. Someone or some people should be held to account.

 

[Ribble]

Are there no slaughterhouses in Spain? There's another ship with 1800 cattle on board since December apparently and in the same predicament. Something very wrong here that nobody takes responsibility and has sorted this out at least six weeks ago. It's an inexcusable shambles. On whose part, I don't know. Probably on several people and gov't departments is Spain and Turkey. Someone or some people should be held to account.

I wouldn't hold your breath for any accountability in Spain, they're not exactly animal lovers and their civil service is mostly unchanged from the days Franco.

 

[roscoe erf]

what about waste management since December thats some sh!t 800 head

 

[Timbo]

what about waste management since December thats some sh!t 800 head

Straight in the 'brook' !

 

[Two Tone]

I too have have bitter experience of Spanish Authorities dealing with Livestock.
Three double decker articulated lorry loads of in calf Friesian heifers were held up for three days at the Spanish French border for an alleged paperwork discrepancy, which it turned out was not required.
A journey that should have taken 3 days from the UK to La Coruna, ended taking 6 days.
Ironically, it was help from Friends of the Earth that prevented them all being slaughtered immediately at the border!

You can imagine what the real reason was for the delays. They knew that if they waited until we sent 3 lorries at once, they would have a better chance of getting the “folding” paperwork they really wanted!

 

[Pilatus]

The vegans will no doubt latch on to this terrible situation.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

I don't agree with live exports at all but if you watch the video on the guardian website linked above the cattle all look very clean and in really good condition.

 

[Tim W]

The vegans will no doubt latch on to this terrible situation.

You don't have to be a vegan or a militant animal rights activist to be appalled by this.
The opportunities for any self regulation within the industry are fast disappearing.
I'm not particularly bothered by a ban on live export for slaughter.... it's something that farming is going to have to get used to

 

[egbert]

Pics show fairly healthy looking beasts. (young bulls I'd guess, not cows).
Can't believe there isn't a Spanish chancer who'll receive them, cull whatever needs dispatching, and get the rest rested, fed, back in fettle....and hung up.

If they rocked up at Plymouth docks, and were allowed in, I can think of 4-5 characters who'd bid £100/head off the photos alone!

 

[Cowabunga]

what about waste management since December thats some sh!t 800 head

They have a massive slurry pit within yards distance.

 

[Werzle]

Absolutely disgusting and sinful..those poor cattle.
Poor things were en route for turkey as well which is as bad as what they’ve endured so far

Can't like your post enough. Absolutely awful that this has been allowed to happen.

 

[Cowabunga]

I don't agree with live exports at all but if you watch the video on the guardian website linked above the cattle all look very clean and in really good condition.

The only issue is the eight weeks on board. Surely 8 days would be fine but to spend 8 weeks or more on board is absolutely ridiculous and needs a hell of a lot of forage and animal husbandry which is surely not planned for.